Tuesday 17 September 1667

Up, and at the office all the morning, where Mr. Wren come to us and sat with us, only to learn, and do intend to come once or twice a week and sit with us. In the afternoon walked to the Old Swan, the way mighty dirty, and there called at Michell’s, and there had opportunity para kiss su moher, but elle did receive it with a great deal of seeming regret, which did vex me. But however I do not doubt overcoming her as I did the moher of the monsieur at Deptford. So thence by water to Westminster, to Burgess, and there did receive my orders for 1500l. more for Tangier. Thence to the Hall, and there talked a little with Mrs. Michell, and so to Mrs. Martin’s to pay for my cuffs and drink with her … . And by and by away by coach and met with Sir H. Cholmly, and with him to the Temple, and there in Playford’s shop did give him some of my Exchequer orders and took his receipts, and so parted and home, and there to my business hard at the office, and then home, my wife being at Mrs. Turner’s, who and her husband come home with her, and here staid and talked and staid late, and then went away and we to bed. But that which vexed me much this evening is that Captain Cocke and Sir W. Batten did come to me, and sat, and drank a bottle of wine, and told me how Sir W. Pen hath got an order for the “Flying Greyhound” for himself, which is so false a thing, and the part of a knave, as nothing almost can be more. This vexed me; but I resolve to bring it before the Duke, and try a pull for it.

"...but elle did receive it with a great deal of seeming regret, which did vex me. But however I do not doubt overcoming her as I did the moher of the monsieur at Deptford..."

Truly pathetic Sam. Especially when, if Bess can't give you all you want as far as sex goes, Betty Martin seems eager and willing, in the friendiest manner possible. But, one must stand in awe of your honesty. You'll have to forgive me though if I could wish Michell would join Chris Knipp in horsewhipping you some dark night.

May the Bagwells even now be laughing their heads off at their easy mark.

"You’ll have to forgive me though if I could wish Michell would join Chris Knipp in horsewhipping you some dark night."

I have to agree. I try to avoid judging our diarist by anachronistic standards, but sometimes I can't help saying: "What a jerk." (And yes, of course we're only able to make these judgments because of his remarkable honesty about himself; that doesn't mean we can't make judgments.)

This is not to condone Sam's behaviour, but, from other reading around the period, one can conclude that he was no worse than most of his contemporaries. And men in positions of power taking advantage of employees still happens to day, but the Bagwells etc of today can have recourse to law. (There is a very expensive and very public court case under way here in Australia against the ex-CEO of a department store chain.) Quite often recently though, one is driven to think - "Oh, not *again*, Sam - go home!"

So many hi fliers have been brought down to earth because their lower brain is in control, the next cave has so many attractions.The frailty of humans, many will never agree with this idea but the chemical balances, do play a part, we do like to say they have free will and a brain, but too many times it instant gratification appear to out win with the idea of future pain i.e. connecting the future consequences to past deeds.See the popular strumpets of the day and the Rochester's poems to the "Pleasures" of the day.Read the sacked ministers on the rantings about the 7 deadly sins.Seven deadly sins versus the other extreme, 7 virtues * 3.1 Lust, ( chastity ) o 3.1.1 Extravagance * 3.2 Gluttony ( Temperance) * 3.3 Greed (charity) * 3.4 Sloth (Diligence ) o 3.4.1 Acedia o 3.4.2 Despair * 3.5 Wrath (patience) * 3.6 Envy * 3.7 Pride ( humility) o 3.7.1 Vainglory

"And men in positions of power taking advantage of employees still happens to day"

Oh, sure, but what's so striking about Sam is that he doesn't limit himself to women he has direct control over (which would be totally unremarkable, though repellent), he forces his attentions on any woman he finds attractive who isn't of a social station to cause him trouble. He seems to take all women as his rightful prey. This is of course not a rare attitude, but it's not so common that it doesn't make the gorge rise.

Still can't help feeling the Bagwells at least are not completely innocent victims...Certainly not William Bagwell and possibly not his missus. Though of course Sam deserves what he gets from us, regardless of the era...He knew forcing a woman to do this sort of thing was immoral, even if tolerated among the circles he now moves in.